joomla templates Bali Travel News

Destiny Villas: Bringing ‘Home Sweet Home’ Concept

Now, a modern concept minimalist villa in Seminyak area has come, namely the Destiny Villas. Comprising seven units of condo building with two floors located in the heart of business center and amidst the tourist area of Seminyak, the Destiny Villas offer complete facilities. The property is designed specifically for the comfort and security of guests. Location of the building on the back and supported by the placement of eight point of CCTV and 24-hour security service gives a sense of tranquility. The property is located in the heart of tourist area, close to a variety of business activities such as restaurants, hotels, and cafes and only few minutes from the beach.

Sacred Object Exhibition

This exhibition is quite unique. A total of 12 Shiva lingams, special sacred objects brought in from great temples in India, were introduced to general public. The exhibition entitled Satyam Shivam Sundaram was held at the Secretariat of the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual Study Center Bali on Jalan Gatot Subroto I, Denpasar. The exhibition was opened on Friday (Apr 26) and would last for a month.

Panji Stories Recognized to Come from Indonesia

Panji stories developing in Bali, in this archipelago and various hemispheres are recognized to come from Indonesia. Such recognition was presented in the Seminar and Performances of a Shared Heritage: The Panji Traditions in Southeast Asia in Bangkok, Thailand. The event held by SEAMEO SPAFA was attended by nine participants from various countries in Southeast Asia.
Prof. Dr. I Wayan Rai S, Rector of the Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) Denpasar said that seven papers were presented in the event. He himself represented Indonesia and also served as the Broad Governing Member (GBM) of the SEAMEO SPAFA. His paper entitled ‘Background and development of the music and dances related to the Panji stories in Bali.’
In the description, the man from Ubud explained about the history on the emergence of Panji stories that could evolve and survive until these days. Among them, they came in the forms of Panji Semirang Dance, Gong Kebyar, Gambuh and others. “Panji stories are from East Java, Indonesia, and then spread to Bali and various countries in the world,” he said.

The Alana Vasanti: Offers an Seminyak Exotic world of Beauty & Serenity

Archipelago International’s (formerly known as Aston International is one of Indonesia’s leading hotel operators with an underlying portfolio of more than 60 hotels and 12 000 rooms and a development pipeline exceeding 90 properties in Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.) newest up market hotel brand, Alana. Alana, is the brainchild of Archipelago International, an Indonesia based hotel operator with Hawaiian roots and an underlying portfolio of more than 150 Hotels and Resorts.

Alana which in Hawaiian means “fair, beautiful or offering “ , offers high end lifestyle boutique hotels that are sophisticated yet friendly and welcoming for a traveler who appreciates style, personalized service and a stimulating environment, launches this month with the opening of its flagship property in Bali, The Alana Vasanti – Seminyak. The Alana Vasanti – Seminyak sits in the heart of Petitenget in South Bali in the direct vicinity of Bali’s most popular restaurants and club locale whilst enjoying a serene setting enclosed by emerald green rice fields and is nearby famed Seminyak Beach. The hotel was designed by Alex Bayusaputro from Genius Loco Architects and features 4 Presidential and 24 Deluxe Suites with separate lounge space and a mix of 93 oversized guest rooms with private balconies, spacious bathrooms with rain showers, 42” LED televisions and iPod compatible sound systems. Suite guests have exclusive access to the 24-hour club lounge with complimentary WiFi, a lavish a la carte breakfast and canapés and cocktails in the evenings while the 4 Presidential Suites also afford private outdoor – Jacuzzis.

Destiny Hotels and Villas: More than just a Accommodation

“Kerobokan is a short distance from the center of Legian, Seminyak and Denpasar a tranquil expanse rice field area at the south west coast of Bali. The area is conveniently close to the restaurants and shops of Seminyak. It is an ideal base from which to explore the rest of the island with furniture and handicraft shops only 12 km from the Ngurah Rai International Airport.” Nyoman Aryadana the Managing Director JIHospitality explain on detail at Open House of Destiny Hotels and Villas last Friday at Kerobokan

“Kerobokan is another area being developed by resort companies to attract visitors from the overflowing Kuta / Legian strip, where suit those who wish to spend some quiet days relaxing by the pool or on the beach, also known as expatriates community area that lived and making business in Bali, more than just a destination, where Destiny Hotel and Villas was build.” Yati Artini, Director of Sales & Marketing added.

Suara Sandal Jepit Show, Vox Populi, Vox Dei

Suara sandal jepit literally means the sound of the ordinary sandals, but what’s so special about it? We all wear ordinary sandals here in Bali, walk with it and keep on stepping with it. We never pay attention to it which is similar to how a lot of people act to marginalized people. They seemed to be ignored by the society moreover with the government that should’ve protected them. With that, the Bali based non-governmental environment and children aware community, Anak Alam, created this show that invites them to be the speakers and share their amazing stories that could inspire anyone in Bali as Pande Putu Setiawan, founder of the community, stated after the first ‘Suara Sandal Jepit’ edition, “Pekak Degeng: Turi Street’s Marginal General”, completed on Sunday, 17th February 2013.

First edition featured Pekak (grandpa) Degeng, who is a former cinema film rolls’ delivery man that changed profession as rubbish collector man during the early 90s up until now. Degeng, originated from Denpasar, really shows a reflection how the metropolitan city still has these kinds of people in its heart. Even though Degeng is 80 something now, he insist to do such work in the mornings and afternoons to fulfill his living cost, for his sick wife also to keep him from stress

Glass Puppet Painting of Nagasepaha Village Endangered

Typical glass puppet painting of Nagasepaha village, Buleleng, remains to face some problems. One of them is the lack of access to markets owned by the artists. For this condition, painters only rely on the marketing through exhibitions and through direct orders from consumers or tourists visiting Nagasepaha. Even, some painters have close down because they face difficulty in marketing their products. A painter, Ketut Santosa, met in his painting studio told that he had been trying to sell his works through conventional manner for long time, namely selling it in the Bali Arts Festival (BAF) or through painting exhibition in a number of regions in Indonesia with the help of a number of artists and curators.

The sale through the exhibition was one of the most successful. His paintings were sold at prices ranging from IDR 1 million to IDR 4 million. Recently, Santosa managed to sell 100 percent of his paintings in Yogyakarta. “Exhibition is the most demanded marketplace. I do not dare to sell it through the other means, because it can lose out,” he said.

Bayu Ngunda at Gallery Santrian

A pile of wood after given a touch of artistic creativity can engender an object having a great value. Various unique wood sculptures created by I Ketut Muja are now being displayed in Griya Santrian Gallery on Jalan Danau Tamblingan 57, Sanur. The exhibition entitled Ngunda Bayu takes place for two months starting from February 1 to April 1, 2013.There are about 20 sculptures on display in the gallery. All the works have different characteristics and styles. They are ranging from mystical realism to abstract style. “I showcase the sculptures made since 2000 and they have different sizes,” said Ketut Muja.

As a matter of fact, I Ketut Muja is a true artist having a wealth of experience in the world of sculpture both in national and international level. The artist born at Mukti hamlet on December 31, 1944 remains productive to work up to these days. “I exhibit the sculptures made of agar wood with a hard texture so that it is more challenging,” he said.

Indeed, in the process of creativity, Muja does not distinguish the wood he carved. He tends to consider the aesthetic aspect of the woodworks. “Agar wood is indeed different. It has aesthetic and special value, blackish in color and contains a typical resin produced by some species of the genus like the Aquilaria tree, especially the A. malaccensis,” said the artist from Mukti hamlet, Singapadu, Gianyar.

Ubud Village Jazz Festival

Ubud will host an international jazz music event. The event entitled the Ubud Village Festival will be held in the upcoming August 2013. Dozens of jazz musicians from around the world are ascertained to participate, including the national and local jazz musicians. “This event is expected to become an attraction to tourists and jazz music lovers in Ubud tourist resort, Gianyar,” said the Advisor to the Ubud Village Jazz Festival, Amir Rabik, when making audience with Regent of Gianyar Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, Friday (Jan 18).

The jazz musicians participating in the festival would be Uwee Plath Combo featuring Dian Pratiwi (Germany), Yokohama Association of Artist (Japan), Peter Beets (the Netherlands) and David Ades (Australia). Meanwhile, the national musician would consist of Indra Lesmana, Dwiki Darmawan, The Jonges, Tomorrow People Ensemble, Yuri Mahatma, Balawan and Batuan Ethnic Fusion, Rio Sidik, Dira Sugandi, Koko Harsoe, Simak Dialog and Under Ground Jazz Movement. “Besides, the festival will also present local musicians of Bali,” he added.

Founder of the Ubud Village Jazz Festival, Yuri Mahatma and Anom Sudarsana, revealed the jazz event would be deliberately held in August to coincide with holiday season of foreign and domestic tourists. “Aside from becoming an international tourist destination, Ubud has also a potential that can be presented in the jazz festival,” he said.

‘Balinese Human’ in Puri Agung Kerambitan

Being concerned about the culture and nature of Bali, the Tabanan Photographers Forum (TPF) organized a photography exhibition. The second exhibition was held in Kerambitan Grand Palace from January 19 to February 19, 2013. In the exhibition were displayed 34 photographs by 20 photographers that had passed a curatorial process.

Chairman of the TPF, I Nengah Januartha, said the exhibition entitled ‘Balinese Human’ was intended to interpret the hobby of photographers from documentation viewpoint. The objects featured were the missing cultural processions. “All the entries are still related to the object or Balinese cultural activities,” he said.